Window on Writing: To Write a Poem–A Sestina
I’m late to the party.
July was sestina month over at Tweetspeak Poetry, and I struggled with this.
And I didn’t have the patience to sit down and write such a long poem.
But finally I tried.
It was a matter of pride.
And now I can scratch it off my to-do list.
I tried to write a poem
sestina style. I chose words firm like guards
on watch at each line’s end
from A to F, but prisonered thoughts
stood mute behind brick wall
and would not flow from inner well.
I tried to dig from my dry well
but found that locking words to build a poem
can also build a thickened wall
like tabernacled curtained guards
that separate His face, His thoughts
and block beginning from the end.
And so I brought the try to end
and went to One who owns the well.
I opened heart to hear His thoughts
and find the words to write a poem,
dismissed the guards
and then kicked down the wall.
I went to where there are no walls
where heaven stretches to no end
where glory stands as my rear guard
and beauty spills to fill the well
where His art speaks to write a poem
through creation’s whispered thoughts.
And flowing then from thought to thought
like waves that splash across a wall
writing in the sand a poem
from no beginning and no end,
a song of grace to fill the well
from the captain of the guard.
So at His feet I drop my guard
and listen deep to thoughts
that bleed into the well,
by tender love demolish walls
with crazy grace and bring an end
the barriers to the poem.
He guards the faithful, tumbles walls
His thoughts not mine, no end
to fill the well because He is the poem.
14 Comments
Submit a Comment
Follow Me!
Meet Sandy
Spend–and Give!
Tuesdays. Here.
April 19-21, 2013 (past but not forgotten)
American Christian
Fiction Writers
So worth the wait! “He is the poem.” Perfect final words. We can strive and try in our own strength, wisdom and creativity and find ourselves trapped behind humanity or we can sit and listen quietly to the words He speaks to our hearts, because “He is the poem.” Love this, Sandra!
Awww, thanks.
Definitely a fine first effort, Sandra. So glad you tried the form.
Thanks, Mo. I almost didn’t post it at all. Maybe I’ll try again. Maybe.
Congratulations! It shows the intimacy of your relationship with God.
Yay! You conquered it! Mightily and beautifully! Would never want to attempt this one. Your mind is a wonder!
Ha! I’m not sure about conquering, but I did battle. If I can be brave, so can you.
Sandra, so sorry to torture you!!
You are a real sweetie to try this.
Ah, but you got a nice stream of grace from it. And a renewal of that tender Love that demolishes walls.
Was it torture to read it?
I might try again. Sometime.
Very impressive!
Very kind!
I love your sestina! From dismissing guards to kicking walls and going where there are no walls, to where the well runs deep and never ends, his flow of words to your heart… beautiful words, Sandra! “He is the poem” indeed. Well done, I enjoyed it!
Thanks so much, Anna.